The New ARB Architects Code 2025: Six Standards for Professional Practice

The Architects Code: Standards of Conduct and Practice was comprehensively revised and came into effect on 1 September 2025, replacing the 2017 Code. This is the most significant update in years, moving from 12 prescriptive principles to six outcomes-focused standards.

The Six Standards

The new Code is built around six core standards, each equally important:

1. Honesty and Integrity

Architects must be truthful and act with integrity in all decisions and actions. This includes using impartial judgment, managing conflicts of interest, being transparent about inducements, and cooperating with ARB investigations.

2. Public Interest

Architects must prioritise the public interest, supporting the environment and preventing harm. This extends beyond client obligations to include respect for life, law, and the environment — protecting health and safety in buildings and challenging risky actions.

3. Competence

Architects must maintain and develop their competence through continuous professional development. This means working within competence limits, staying updated with standards and practices, learning from feedback, and ensuring the competence of those they engage.

4. Professional Practice

Architects must carry out work effectively, diligently, and with care. This includes providing clear terms of engagement, maintaining adequate professional indemnity insurance, protecting confidential information, and managing finances appropriately.

5. Communication and Collaboration

Effective communication and collaboration are crucial for successful outcomes. Architects should communicate appropriately, confirm client requirements, explain their role, manage expectations, and proactively collaborate with other professionals.

6. Respect

Architects must treat others with respect. This includes being polite and considerate, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in design and relationships, and contributing to an inclusive working environment.

Key Changes from the 2017 Code

• Reduced from 12 to 6 standards — less prescriptive, more outcomes-focused
• Public interest explicitly prioritised — environmental and safety duties highlighted
• Equality, diversity and inclusion — now embedded as a core professional requirement
• Influenced by Grenfell — stronger emphasis on building safety and challenging risky decisions

Supporting Guidance

The ARB is publishing guidance documents in phases:

• Published: Dealing with Complaints, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Terms of Engagement, Managing Conflicts of Interest, Managing Finances, Raising Concerns and Whistleblowing
• Pending (2025): Building Safety, Equality Diversity & Inclusion, Leadership, Mentoring, Sustainability

Implications for Part III Students

The new Code directly affects PC1 (Professionalism) in the Part III examination. Students should study the six standards and be prepared to discuss how they would apply them in practice scenarios.

Further Information

Read the full Architects Code on the ARB website: [Architects Code: Standards of Conduct and Practice](https://arb.org.uk/architect-information/architects-code-standards-of-conduct-and-practice/)